big blue better be ready for Rankin, he is the real deal
not sure we can stop him with the bodies we have
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HLR8JfRWsAAgdJd?format=jpg&name=small)
Elsbury away for personal reasons and should be back soon, says Ed.
After watching Edmonton slug it out with Montreal I am not confident at all. Hopefully the rest vs short week helps.
If it's looking like rain we REALLY we need to alter our normal plan and have a special rain plan. Every season we see a rain game like the MTL@EDM game where one team has a rain plan, the other is trying to run their normal O. The normal O team invariably loses.
What was the game last year? I think it was something like OTT beating unstoppable CGY? Ya, that's what I'm talking about.
And wasn't the Crumback game we lost a couple/few years back in the rain?
So what works in the rain? Run, duh. But not just Brady, you need sweeps and draws, and must get more players involved. I think the short pass game doesn't work in the wet, as RECs can't adjust to a slight misthrow and it's too slippery to catch heaters. So I'd do what both MTL/EDM did and throw a lot of deep 50/50 balls. It's usually man because everyone is coming up to help stop the run, and conventional wisdom is "they won't dare throw deep". Other ideas? We're going to need them.
But don't just expect your normal game to work. And for all that is holy wear the proper cleats. We've had enough games the last couple of season where we're slipping all over and the other team isn't.
We better figure out how to stop Rankin. He had 179 yards rushing and 50 receiving.
The Rankin show is the one we need to change the channel on big time, you can't stop him, just need to limit the explosion plays, which he leads in.
no demski practicing and no ontaria wilson practicing
hopefully they can play
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HLXne4ZWIAAzZns?format=jpg&name=small)
Quote from: The Zipp on June 21, 2026, 10:01:39 PMno demski practicing and no ontaria wilson practicing
hopefully they can play
And if they can play can they be effective at all?
The am worried the D won't hold against the run game. Rankin looks awesome.
I have no faith the Younger's BS system any longer.
Quote from: GOLDMEMBER on June 22, 2026, 12:13:47 AMThe am worried the D won't hold against the run game. Rankin looks awesome.
If we keep Jones @ WILL and Griffin @ SAM this will be a superb test of whether it's a better combo for stopping the run. Rankin is a speed-around-the-edge or outer gap scat/speed back. My theory is this is exactly what we "upgraded" at both positions.
I'm cautiously optimistic.
And anyone notice the power backs (Brady, Mills, Oullette) are having a tough go this season so far and the speed backs are having a field day? Is there something changing on the D's / schemes causing this? Or did just everyone figure out the edges are more vulnerable in a CFL D?
Sucks we have a power back if so...
For poops and giggles, let's try a couple of snaps with Demski @ tailback or get Peterson in for a series where we test the edge. Both are infinitely faster than Brady. Or go 2-tail looks where it's 50/50 whether it's gut with Brady or edge with Demski. Both backs immediately attack their spot and no one knows which has the ball. Then later run that set and throw to a wide open Daniels.
Rankin is hella scary because he's the combination of Cornish and Sheets. He's as slippery and untackleable and unknockoverable as Cornish. And he's as fast and accelerate-able as sheets.
His only downside is he's not terribly powerful. But he doesn't need it because whenever he's hitting walls he slips out and bounces another direction.
I didn't watch much football in the late-80's, and 90's/00's... who does Rankin look like compared to the best from that era?
AI says Rankin is making $145k a year until FA28. That's an outright steal and basically half of Brady. Just sayin'...
Maybe this is the year of the speed back.
Demski and Pokey if healthy will be effective, they are our stars
The heavy negativity on Younger isn't warranted imo, while we have issues on D and it's ok to be critical and some is warranted, the pot seams to be boiling a little early
D and coaches need to step up, won't be an easy game by any stretch after laying a couple eggs on D. Doesn't mean the chickens won't hatch this time LOL
Maybe the hens needed to sit on them a little longer
Quote from: Tecno on June 22, 2026, 07:19:58 AMIf we keep Jones @ WILL and Griffin @ SAM this will be a superb test of whether it's a better combo for stopping the run. Rankin is a speed-around-the-edge or outer gap scat/speed back. My theory is this is exactly what we "upgraded" at both positions.
I'm cautiously optimistic.
And anyone notice the power backs (Brady, Mills, Oullette) are having a tough go this season so far and the speed backs are having a field day? Is there something changing on the D's / schemes causing this? Or did just everyone figure out the edges are more vulnerable in a CFL D?
Sucks we have a power back if so...
For poops and giggles, let's try a couple of snaps with Demski @ tailback or get Peterson in for a series where we test the edge. Both are infinitely faster than Brady. Or go 2-tail looks where it's 50/50 whether it's gut with Brady or edge with Demski. Both backs immediately attack their spot and no one knows which has the ball. Then later run that set and throw to a wide open Daniels.
pass on Peterson, BBB all day baby, yes sprinkle in a little Demski
If Brady gassed sure give Peterson a couple touches
I am also worried about our run D
Quote from: Blueforlife on June 22, 2026, 03:01:56 PMDemski and Pokey if healthy will be effective, they are our stars
The heavy negativity on Younger isn't warranted imo, while we have issues on D and it's ok to be critical, the pot seams to be boiling a little early
D and coaches need to step up, won't be an easy game by any stretch after laying a couple eggs on D. Doesn't mean the chickens won't hatch this time LOL
Maybe the hens needed to sit on them a little longer
pass on Peterson, BBB all day baby, yes sprinkle in a little Demski
If Brady gassed sure give Peterson a couple touches
We'd have to take another Canadian off the roster to get Peterson on. It's possible as a choice but I doubt it happens for now. Those are the players that are used extensively on ST's.
Peterson wouldn't get too many reps on offence so it's a counter productive choice. OTOH Chris-Ike is faster and possibly a choice to be used in this fashion 2 or 3 times a game even if it's not totally successful. He's on the field as a FB at times and could be used in draws or sweeps just to add a wrinkle to what the defence has to plan against.
Quote from: Tecno on June 22, 2026, 07:19:58 AMIf we keep Jones @ WILL and Griffin @ SAM this will be a superb test of whether it's a better combo for stopping the run. Rankin is a speed-around-the-edge or outer gap scat/speed back. My theory is this is exactly what we "upgraded" at both positions.
I'm cautiously optimistic.
And anyone notice the power backs (Brady, Mills, Oullette) are having a tough go this season so far and the speed backs are having a field day? Is there something changing on the D's / schemes causing this? Or did just everyone figure out the edges are more vulnerable in a CFL D?
Sucks we have a power back if so...
For poops and giggles, let's try a couple of snaps with Demski @ tailback or get Peterson in for a series where we test the edge. Both are infinitely faster than Brady. Or go 2-tail looks where it's 50/50 whether it's gut with Brady or edge with Demski. Both backs immediately attack their spot and no one knows which has the ball. Then later run that set and throw to a wide open Daniels.
It's certainly a big test early in the season. We also need our newbies on the DL to become more effective. I've noticed them being caught inside too often. Ceresna can't do everything.
It will be something of a role reversal , we will/need to focus on stopping the run and forcing elks to beat us through the air.
Edmon strengths
Much more physical defense than us
Rankin and Fajardo running game is more diversified , we basically run off tackle with Olivera
Younger and faster more aggressive secondary
Winnipeg strengths
Receiving core
Collaros is better than Fajardo
Specialty teams
Dline has potential to be more impactful if Willie comes to play
Should be a good one.
Quote from: Blue In BC on June 22, 2026, 03:10:25 PMWe'd have to take another Canadian off the roster to get Peterson on. It's possible as a choice but I doubt it happens for now. Those are the players that are used extensively on ST's.
Peterson wouldn't get too many reps on offence so it's a counter productive choice. OTOH Chris-Ike is faster and possibly a choice to be used in this fashion 2 or 3 times a game even if it's not totally successful. He's on the field as a FB at times and could be used in draws or sweeps just to add a wrinkle to what the defence has to plan against.
I was still in last seasons AR mode. You are 100% about Peterson. Great point. Agree on Chris-Ike.
Faj like's to get outside and Rankin excels outside tackle and bouncing plays outside, contain is going to be very important this game, our DE's and/or LB's need to really focus on keeping Cody between the tackles and in the pocket while also trying to force Ranking up the middle due to edges being sealed off.
Quote from: 3rdand1.5 on June 22, 2026, 04:01:59 PMFaj like's to get outside and Rankin excels outside tackle and bouncing plays outside, contain is going to be very important this game, our DE's and/or LB's need to really focus on keeping Cody between the tackles and in the pocket while also trying to force Ranking up the middle due to edges being sealed off.
Excellent keys to the game
Justin Rankin is a feast or famine type of back. He has explosive speed and can break away for huge gains. He also gets dropped for a loss more than any other RB. Reminds me of Fred Reid in that regard.
Rankin was tackled for a loss 41 times in 2025 and 8 times in 2026.
By comparison, Oliveira was tackled for a loss 12 times in 2025 & 0 times this far in 2026.
Quote from: Blue In BC on June 22, 2026, 03:17:46 PMIt's certainly a big test early in the season. We also need our newbies on the DL to become more effective. I've noticed them being caught inside too often. Ceresna can't do everything.
Agree, I think a few members of the D-line were guilty of "playing young" against the Ti-Cats, abandoning their assignments in pursuit of BLM. Of the 7 starting only 3 have CFL experience, with that many rookies it's going to take awhile for Coach Jake to sort things out.
As for Rankin the Bombers did pretty well containing him last season, if you can ignore the 64 yd. run in game #19. The Bombers lost that game 25-20 but even late in the season they were still fighting for a playoff berth, so they didn't field their B-squad.
Wk. #4 7 30 0 4.3 11
Wk. #19 18 138 1 7.7 64
Quote from: Stats Junkie on June 22, 2026, 04:56:49 PMJustin Rankin is a feast or famine type of back. He has explosive speed and can break away for huge gains. He also gets dropped for a loss more than any other RB. Reminds me of Fred Reid in that regard.
Rankin was tackled for a loss 41 times in 2025 and 8 times in 2026.
By comparison, Oliveira was tackled for a loss 12 times in 2025 & 0 times this far in 2026.
Some interesting facts there, if he is like Fred Reid, other teams are in trouble!
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 22, 2026, 05:52:06 PMAgree, I think a few members of the D-line were guilty of "playing young" against the Ti-Cats, abandoning their assignments in pursuit of BLM. Of the 7 starting only 3 had CFL experience, with that many rookies it's going to take awhile for Coach Jake to sort things out.
As for Rankin the Bombers did pretty well containing him last season, if you can ignore the 64 yd. run in game #19. The Bombers lost that game 25-20 but even late in the season they were still fighting for a playoff berth, so they didn't field their B-squad.
Wk. #4 7 30 0 4.3 11
Wk. #19 18 138 1 7.7 64
hope
Not really sure what to say at this point other than I myself and probably many others here are nervous about the D. It's entirely possible that we adjust our biggest mistakes from last game on both plan/system and maybe some individual errors (not that I noticed anything in-game) and we bounce back and can hold off CoFaj and Rankin. That would be a sigh of relief.
Or we have another repeat of last week and see them rolling over us. If you thought a mostly civil discussion in a Jordan Younger-dedicated thread was bad last game, it will be much much worse if it happens that way again and I don't expect there to be much grace.
I don't really know what to expect though. Sure hoping it's the first one obvs.
Quote from: blue_or_die on June 22, 2026, 07:22:37 PMNot really sure what to say at this point other than I myself and probably many others here are nervous about the D. It's entirely possible that we adjust our biggest mistakes from last game on both plan/system and maybe some individual errors (not that I noticed anything in-game) and we bounce back and can hold off CoFaj and Rankin. That would be a sigh of relief.
Or we have another repeat of last week and see them rolling over us. If you thought a mostly civil discussion in a Jordan Younger-dedicated thread was bad last game, it will be much much worse if it happens that way again and I don't expect there to be much grace.
I don't really know what to expect though. Sure hoping it's the first one obvs.
O if we lay another egg on D, the forum will come close to the pre mini dynasty run level of worry.
I enjoyed your take here.
Quote from: gobombersgo on June 22, 2026, 07:51:39 PM
Elsbury took an extra day on bye week to get married, seems like bad planning on his part, maybe he never expected to make the team? Hope he's at least bringing his poor wife back to Wpg. with him, not much of a honeymoon for her.
what is the injury status of Demski and Wilson?? Are they out for this game?
Quote from: dd on June 22, 2026, 09:33:11 PMwhat is the injury status of Demski and Wilson?? Are they out for this game?
Both practiced today
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HLcU4ilXkAAbvZs?format=jpg&name=small)
Elks ranked #4, Bombers ranked #6, can't argue with that.
https://3downnation.com/2026/06/22/3downnation-cfl-power-rankings-b-c-lions-turned-upside-down/ (https://3downnation.com/2026/06/22/3downnation-cfl-power-rankings-b-c-lions-turned-upside-down/)
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 22, 2026, 09:02:22 PMElsbury took an extra day on bye week to get married, seems like bad planning on his part, maybe he never expected to make the team? Hope he's at least bringing his poor wife back to Wpg. with him, not much of a honeymoon for her.
No better honeymoon than joining your new hubby at PAS and watching them get a dominant win! Plenty of time for the hotel post-game!
Quote from: Stats Junkie on June 22, 2026, 04:56:49 PMJustin Rankin is a feast or famine type of back. He has explosive speed and can break away for huge gains. He also gets dropped for a loss more than any other RB. Reminds me of Fred Reid in that regard.
Rankin was tackled for a loss 41 times in 2025 and 8 times in 2026.
By comparison, Oliveira was tackled for a loss 12 times in 2025 & 0 times this far in 2026.
Misleading stat, IMHO. Is Rankin getting -3 because he's dancing looking for the home run any worse than Brady getting 1-2 on most runs? Because when Brady finally gets lucky he gets 8 instead of 2. Woopee. When Rankin busts it he gets 50Y and 2-3 TDs a game.
I'm pretty sure a ton of WPG and SSK and CGY fans are looking at Rankin right about now and drooling. Doesn't mean it can't change... but for now there's only 1 back that's winning games all on his own. And it ain't the power backs.
The saving grace is ours is the only NAT. Everyone else has to screw with the ratio to get an IMP RB and often a DI backup.
Quote from: Blueforlife on June 22, 2026, 03:37:35 PMI was still in last seasons AR mode. You are 100% about Peterson. Great point. Agree on Chris-Ike.
Holy smokes, for some reason I didn't realize/remember we PR'd Peterson to go with our 2 FB/TE set. Changes things a bit; but makes sense.
Quote from: Blue In BC on June 22, 2026, 03:10:25 PMOTOH Chris-Ike is faster and possibly a choice to be used in this fashion 2 or 3 times a game even if it's not totally successful.
Is Ike really faster than Peterson? Peterson looks more like a Rankin than a Brady to me. High burst and top-end. Ike is taller/bigger so shouldn't he be slower??
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 22, 2026, 10:55:21 PMElks ranked #4, Bombers ranked #6, can't argue with that.
LOL, that will NOT last. Beating EDM is easy if you shut Rankin down. We've done it several times. Cody is not going to beat you only with his arm, without any splash run game opening things up for the RECs.
EDM #4. ;D ;D ;D ;D Oh my sides!
ya, Edmonton has the upset of the season and now all of a sudden is unbeatable, whatever. Teams will key in on rankin, meaning fajardo will hit the odd play to Mack, as he's a stud receiver, but other than that, what does Edmonton really have?? It's good the elks are 2-0, but heck they played Ottawa, th free spot on the bingo card, and upset Montreal in the rain. They ll still be 4th or 5th in the west when the season ends
Quote from: Tecno on Today at 01:31:17 AMHoly smokes, for some reason I didn't realize/remember we PR'd Peterson to go with our 2 FB/TE set. Changes things a bit; but makes sense.
Makes two of us lol
Quote from: Tecno on Today at 01:32:20 AMIs Ike really faster than Peterson? Peterson looks more like a Rankin than a Brady to me. High burst and top-end. Ike is taller/bigger so shouldn't he be slower??
My money on Peterson, someone needs to pull their sprint speeds
Quote from: dd on Today at 01:44:31 AMya, Edmonton has the upset of the season and now all of a sudden is unbeatable, whatever. Teams will key in on rankin, meaning fajardo will hit the odd play to Mack, as he's a stud receiver, but other than that, what does Edmonton really have?? It's good the elks are 2-0, but heck they played Ottawa, th free spot on the bingo card, and upset Montreal in the rain. They ll still be 4th or 5th in the west when the season ends
The Bombers have had problems covering Julien-Grant at times, he's had some significant games against them.
Quote from: Blueforlife on Today at 02:30:30 AMMakes two of us lolMy money on Peterson, someone needs to pull their sprint speeds
40 yard dash: 4.51 vs 4.64
20 yard shuttel: 4.19 vs 4,46
3 cone drill : 6.71 vs 7.47
You just lost your money
Quote from: bunker on Today at 03:30:17 AM40 yard dash: 4.51 vs 4.64
20 yard shuttel: 4.19 vs 4,46
3 cone drill : 6.71 vs 7.47
You just lost your money
Not much of a difference but I think Peterson is a downhill runner like Oliveria. Chris-Ike is a little slipperier I think.
I could be wrong about that but a feeling I have.
Quote from: Blue In BC on Today at 03:34:39 AMNot much of a difference but I think Peterson is a downhill runner like Oliveria. Chris-Ike is a little slipperier I think.
I could be wrong about that but a feeling I have.
Those are actually significant differences in times. Whether it actually translates to quickness as a running back is a whole other discussion.
Wow, then why aren't we running sweeps & outside runs with Ike? He can more easily be the "forgotten man" in formations.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on Today at 03:14:16 AMThe Bombers have had problems covering Julien-Grant at times, he's had some significant games against them.
That's because our D always leaves half (or more!) of the flat wide open, especially on longer developing pass plays.
And we're really bad about the sneak out 5th/6th read, the crossing FB or TE, etc. That means the FB/TE/5th read REC will often have great stats and TDs against us. It's a serious problem we need to solve.
It's like any little wrinkle or trick and our D has no response, and no one is using their brains to spot the danger. Sad.
That's why Meng destroyed us last game. Pitiful.